Newbie please help

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie please help

They want like 85 dollars for the gauge. Do not think I will buy that right away

Yep, those Zodiac brand propietary accesories do cost. If you haven't inflated a inflatable to it's factory recommended psi working pressure before with a gauge, won't have the slightless idea how much hard those tubes need to be for opt sib/engine performance if inflating without a gauge.

Know all the word of mouth inflation recommendations, are as follows : 1- untill sib doesn't flex, 2-untill you hear a nice drum sound when hitting tubes hard with fist, 3-untill your finger doesn't go much deeper into tubes, 4-untill end cone doesn't flex; any new one for the record ?

Whatever form you choose, will be at least 1 less psi than needed and with tubes not evenly pressure filled. I like to make pressure bets to new customers while at shop. Pump any tube as much closer to 3 psi, which is the minimum factory recommended pressure for any sib to perform as expected.

Are not even close, they think tube will blow,far away from reality. If betting $ 100 against them, would have by now a larger rib. With a gauge will inflate all chambers evenly, including air topping when sib's pressure stabilizes after some minute rest on water. A gauge is part of your boating expenses, is bought just once...

Happy Boating

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

I will buy one for sure. Can't wait till my boat comes. In going to tire my self foot pumping it and order an electric pump the same evening I know my self to well. Just wondering can I use the battery booster to connect my pump? And which one should I buy. Oh and does cheap fishfinder hook up to it or I can use a crown 9v battery

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie please help

Where will you be inflating the boat, at a available space at home, on beach with car next to it ? to know if you neeed a 120 or 12 volt air pump. Is a bat booster a kind of converter 12V to 120 V ? There are cheapear Bravo electric pumps compared to more pro ones, but only works with 120 V. There are 2.5 & 3.5 psi models.

Happy Boating

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

Where will you be inflating the boat, at a available space at home, on beach with car next to it ? to know if you neeed a 120 or 12 volt air pump. Is a bat booster a kind of converter 12V to 120 V ? There are cheapear Bravo electric pumps compared to more pro ones, but only works with 120 V. There are 2.5 & 3.5 psi models.

Happy Boating

car will be parked about 15 feet from the launch ramp. I also have a converter to convert the 12 to 110 (don't know how useful that is. I was thing to get the booster just for fish finder. ill try to buy the vhf radio as a handheld. was also wondering those lowrance x4 fish finder any good for basic fishing?

Q1) good booster?
Q2) cheap electric pump that plugs into cigarette lighter?
Q3) Cheap nice fish finder?

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Newbie please help

where can I get a zodiac gauge for an inflatable?

Contact Annapolis Inflatables. They are a Zodiac dealer in Annapolis Md. Thats where I got my boat from. The foot pump that goes with the boat comes with a highigh pressure gauge. They have any accessory you want.

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

Contact Annapolis Inflatables. They are a Zodiac dealer in Annapolis Md. Thats where I got my boat from. The foot pump that goes with the boat comes with a highigh pressure gauge. They have any accessory you want.

its a zoom version of zodiac, will this one come with the gauge also?

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Newbie please help

I want to thank everyone that has responded and guided me through. I failed to do some research like an idiot and bought a 15hp force for 450. guy tested it and it ran. I have it home and been trying to start it by pulling the cord 10-12 times sounds like its about to start but does not. any comments? by the way I just wanted to thank sea rider I seen him replying to everything and everyone

Why not go to the area Marina's ans see what they reccomend. There should be a Mercury dealer near you. You need a local dealer that will handle any and all repairs. A local dealer will also know what works and what dosent in your area.

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

Why not go to the area Marina's ans see what they reccomend. There should be a Mercury dealer near you. You need a local dealer that will handle any and all repairs. A local dealer will also know what works and what dosent in your area.

screw the dealer and the mechanics at the marina! paid 250 dollars for a tune up and lube job. that's half of what I paid for the engine. I will learn to work on this engine myself as a project and and when I am very good at it buy a lehr 9.9 and have fun

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Newbie please help

My first purchase after buying a new motor is a repair manual. With the cost of labor today, it is much less expensive to do your own work unless special tools are required if you have mechanical ability. The only lube required for a two cycle is changing the lower unit oil and greasing the linkages.

If you had the water pump replaced, it can be pricy unless you do it yourself.

I never owned a motor like yours but was told by a reliable source that carburetor adjustments were a little tricky. Still should be something you could do yourself.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Newbie please help

its a zoom version of zodiac, will this one come with the gauge also?

If the Zoom 350 has a high pressure floor then the foot pump comes with the gauge. I also brought a electric pump that has a gauge.
The Zodiac dealer gave me my boat numbers also, and took care of the registration. Registration is the hardest part. Once you get your boat number the easiest way to put it on is with a permanent marker and a stencil. The numbers and letters that stick to inflatables that are inflated and deflated cost about $75.
You will see a lot of people with there numbers on some type of board, mostly plexieglass and then they hang it off the boat

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

I was thinking of printing the letters and numbers I need, cutting them out and spray painting the holes

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

The boat number is supposed to come in the box or when I fill out DMV papers I will get it?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie please help

Weimed,

On the market you can find 12 V blowers that accomplishes for most overall tube inflation, but at less than 1 PSI, will need to top sib out with a foot or hand pump along a gauge. If yo have already a 12V-120V converter check if you can find any of these much cheaper Bravo electric inflators + hand pump.

Bravo 0V6-120V (2.5 PSI) max
Bravo 0V10-120V (3.5 psi) max
Bravo 4 hand pump (double action for toping max psi.

Although comes with attached pressure gauge on hose, won't work (read) if placed on top Zodiac air valve, hose end connector must keep pressed air valve central pin opened so to read while pumping. Zodiac has a diaphragm type central air valve not compatible with Halkey Roberts valve type. That's why need to buy a Zodiac pressure gauge to monitor separately while inflating with pump.

Happy Boating

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

It came with a foot pump but had no pressure gauge on it. Going to have to buy one. Got my boat today! Holy crap the floor boards are so damn heavy. Boat Barely fit in the trunk of my suv (rolled up). Will post pics of the boat in my trunk tomorrow. As soon as weather gets better will post first launch photos!!!

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: Newbie please help

I can't believe your wife is on board with this idea, I know the only way my wife would get on one of them is if the boat she was on sank from under her.

Make sure you post some pics.

LK

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

I am not going anywhere far with this, I just plan to ride around and fish (there will be land on both sides where I plan to ride around). I would kill for a boat like yours but I need to become a Ceo of a company to afford a slip for that in New York. To have drive way space for that I would need to move 2 hours out.

 

[IraRat]

Re: Newbie please help

You'll get the numbers AFTER you register--what comes with the boat is your TITLE with your HIN.(Hull identification number, or maybe in NY, it's called a VIN, like a car.)

AND DON'T EVER LOSE THAT TITLE!

I would NOT paint the numbers on the boat. Buy decals, and affix them to a plastic piece of something with your registration sticker, and rig it on there when you go out.

And are you 100% sure about registering the motor? I didn't have to do that in the 90s.

 

[Guest]

Re: Newbie please help

Not sure I read sonewhere anything gas over 5hp has to be registered. Going to DMV today I will let you know

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Newbie please help

It came with a foot pump but had no pressure gauge on it. Going to have to buy one. Got my boat today! Holy crap the floor boards are so damn heavy. Boat Barely fit in the trunk of my suv (rolled up). Will post pics of the boat in my trunk tomorrow. As soon as weather gets better will post first launch photos!!!

Im sorry I disnt tell you sooner. Thats the reason I got the Fr340. I couldn't deal with the weight of the floor. If you call the zodiac dealer they will send you the gauge. I will take a picture of it and post it tonight for you.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Newbie please help

Ronald,

The FR version is much pricier than the 350 Zoom model, best price size sib if being on a tight budget, anyway you're not manhandling solo the boat, probably you have added launching wheels by now or count with a boating mate. If at a launching ramp anyone can give you an extra hand or even taking him for a spin. I'll assure you that everyone on this inflatable forum has begun that way. That's an excellent roomy size to power ratio, boater will be vey pleased when the beast has been tamed..

Weimed,
If rolled sib & floors occupies too much horizontal space inside suv, try placing them horizontal each one in it's respective transport bag. Sibs usually comes well packed from factory, are vacuumed to fit nicely inside carrying bag, once it's been inflated & defleated and rolled, it's another story. Both electric mentioned pumps are very nice to vacuum well the entire sib...

Happy Boating